AFC boss urges lifting of hijab ban

KUALA LUMPUR - Asia's football chief urged the game's top law-making body to lift a controversial ban on headscarves, saying new designs can prevent neck injuries to Muslim women players."Many women footballers in Asia wear headscarves," Asian Football Confederation acting president Zhang Jilong said ahead of a March 3 meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to review the ruling. "I would like to request the IFAB to favourably consider FIFA's proposal and review the rule and allow women players to play wearing a safe headscarf that covers the neck," Zhang said. "My colleagues in the Asian Federation Confederation Executive Committee strongly support the idea of reviewing the rule and I think it is in the interests of women's football worldwide."